Friday 9 December 2016

December blue






Blue sky, not a blue me, happily. And some lovely blue doors with pretty festive wreaths.

We're having a few internet hiccups here at the moment. Probably nothing to be done about it all, you know how it is. I look at blog posts and half the pictures haven't appeared. I try to load photos onto my blog and some of them don't come up. Small problems, can't be bothered to worry about it really. But things do tend to grind to a halt in the evening when I want to write a little post. Anyway, here now.

Despite trying to avoid festive madness, it is somehow getting me in its grip. I went to the Post Office today and realised I had left the parcel at home. Went back for it and found thirteen people in front of me in the queue. Had to leave it until tomorow. The children have all sorts of things to make and donate here there and everywhere. The middle boy has to organise crafts for the younger children at school. I had all sorts of fantastic wreath ideas using natural materials, but in reality colouring in and Pin The Tail On The Reindeer might be a little less stressful.

He also has to make (another) Anderson shelter. I could get carried away with that too. A little knitted blanket for the bed maybe, or a teeny tiny quilt. A vegetable garden outside. An orchard with chickens and bees... I am restraining myself.

Christmas shopping is under way. My friend is buying the littlest boy his very own penknife. He will be absolutely thrilled, he loves to sit and whittle things. I have stuck the local A&E details back on the kitchen cupboard in readiness. The middle boy is getting a fishing catapult and the biggest boy is also having a knife. As you can see, we will all be armed to the teeth. Anything headed your way that's making you nervous? Other than Christmas itself of course.

26 comments:

  1. Hey CJ,
    Beautiful blues. Mostly grey here, but still lovely. I am rebelling this year, Christmas wise. No home made goodies for friends and family this year. It's not gone down very well, but I honestly don't have the inclination. And I'm possibly feeling a bit ba humbug about effort on my part versus effort on theirs. So yes very humbug. L
    Leanne xx

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  2. It is so refreshing to hear about your simple gifts for your boys, I have been amazed and appalled at some of the things children expect and get. The wreaths on the blue doors were a delight.

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  3. The blues are so soothing, Ah, a boy and his knife, hours of fun for the whole family.

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  4. Christmas always makes me nervous even without the penknives.

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  5. I've invited my brother for the big event, I'm nervous about that. My eldest son gave him the nickname 'Uncle Knobhead' several years back - suits him too! A penknife, how exciting I'm sure it will be well treasured x

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  6. Fourteen people will be arriving at my door in two weeks. I'm terrified!

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  7. Pen knifes are a must for every child. Both my older ones have their own. I don't trust James and Alistair just yet, they are quite immature for their age.... You sound very chilled CJ, I am liking it. Love your blue photos, very soothing. Wishing you a lovely weekend. x

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  8. I'm remembering the knot in the stomach at this time of year in Christmases past. Now my children are grown, with families of their own, I choose to do Christmas every other year. This year is my year off and I will be spending it in glorious creative isolation in a treehouse by the sea - for a month. When I return, mid January it will all be over. Grannies are allowed to be eccentric, it's marvellous! Wishing you all a peaceful joyful time.

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    1. Oh wow! How blimmin marvellous! That sounds divine :)

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  9. Beautiful pictures CJ,
    I'm contemplating eldests desire for a knife ( he has a pen knife)
    Christmas is not my favourite time of year I will admit. Loving Sandras idea to celebrate every other year :0)
    Hope your computer behaves now.
    Jacquie x

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  10. Are the presents all coming from the same friend? Are they survivalists? Are you sure they're a real friend? I laughed at the idea of having the A&E details on the cupboard door. Very necessary.

    And even as I laugh, I am really thinking what excellent presents for boys. I want a paintball catapult for me.

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  11. I still have me penknife. Don't let it take a grip, just ride the advent waves under blue skies. Jo x

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  12. Beautiful blue door and beautiful wreath. Christmas countdown in all its glory but I'm finding it hard to keep up with it all now when we are getting closer. On top of it all I woke up with a terrible cold and have not been able to sleep well since 3am... Always on a weekend when things needs to be done, crafts are to be enjoyed and baking with kids is my priority... Well oh well. Christmas will arrive when it arrives no matter if I am "armed" to my teeth or not with preparations. Happy weekend and good on you being somewhat prepared after all.
    Xxx

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  13. We're three on crimble day which is perfect. Parkrun in the morning them home for roast pheasant, presents and a dog walk :o). Present-wise something similar for L is here and I'd already done lots of sewing stuff that's being parcelled out as presents but not sure I'll do the quantity next year (nodding in agreement with lovely Leanne here). Your boys will love their gifts. Have you got a dedicated lane to get to A&E?? (I'm sure you won't need it. Ours were always v good with knives. No horrible accidents.) xx

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  14. Gorgeous blues here in your photos, CJ. You sound quite calm and collected, despite the seasonal stress, which is lovely to read. It's fairly under control here – we bought our tree yesterday and wrestled it into position (a tight squeeze), decorating it later today, presents about one-third done (some online shopping to be done asap), etc. I'm resolutely Keeping Calm. My middle son (15) has a beloved penknife and we haven't had to whizz to a&e so far... Sam xx

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  15. beautiful soothing blues....*sigh*. we're back to grey here today...well, white actually as the snow's been falling most of the day. very festive and we had a lovely winter-wonderland-ish walk with the Emma-dog earlier.

    i've not heard of such a thing as a fish catapult. is it for hurling fish? i'm having a Monty Python moment. i've heard that giving children knives is a good thing, and completely normal in every part of the world that hasn't been converted into a nanny state. i always remember boys having pen-knives when i was a kid....i don't recall any amputations or stabbings. something to do with normal risk-assessment learning. which makes complete sense. still, not a bad idea to have emergency info at the ready.

    tree is up and decorated. shopping done as well as the wrapping. Amazon has been my great friend this year and i'm not ashamed to admit it. preserving my sanity has been my gift to myself this year. :)

    xoxoxoxo

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  16. Christmas is heading my way much to fast. As for the knives, you are a brave woman.

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  17. These pictures are so lovely and calming, I especially love the doors.

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  18. You sound just like me getting carried away with ideas! Your children's presents sound wonderful. My son has just informed us that he is getting an allotment in Bristol. I don't think he realises what hard work it will be, but that gives us something useful to buy for a Christmas present! Sarah x

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  19. The run-up to Christmas is so busy with school children, isn't it? So much to make/buy/donate/wrap etc. My son liked penknives too, and hankered after a lighter to match. I love your photos - so serene and uplifting. Is that the Severn looking blue? Lovely.
    Cathy x

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  20. Sitting and whittling sounds very tempting, especially at the moment when there's just too.much.to.do. Anything making me nervous? Only that a recurring dream, in which everyone sits down at the Christmas table only to discover I've already eaten everything, comes true. Actually, I have eaten all the mince pies.

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  21. I went to return my library book yesterday and realised I'd left the book at home! At least they let me renew it. Ah... Boys and knives... Remember it well. The thought of twelve people for Christmas dinner, plus a new baby and an oversized puppy are giving me sleepless nights at the moment.

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  22. christmas doesn't make me nervous! when you let go of the commercialism and related pressures, and focus on family (and nice food), christmas is lovely.
    of course it helps that it is summer here, blue skies and hopefully sunshine and plenty of time and good weather to spend in the garden. a time to re-charge, not get stressed!
    happy holidays CJ XX

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  23. we've bought my son a camera trap to do some wildlife photography, I was quite excited to see some footage of a vole or a mouse, until someone told me it would probably film rats..........

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  24. Hi CJ, I'm just trying to catch up. Time has not been on my side where the internet is concerned. I hope you've had a good week and are now basking in the glow of being able to stop for a while. :)

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  25. Pulling my heartstrings with your photos and words, as always. What beautiful shades of blue you photographed and such a unique idea.

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